About Us

 
The Okeechobee Main Street program
is designed to improve all aspects of the
Okeechobee downtown district, producing both
tangible and intangible benefits.
 
Improving economic management, strengthening public participation, and making downtown a fun place to visit are as critical to Okeechobee's future as recruiting new businesses, rehabilitating buildings, and expanding parking.

Building on downtown's inherent assets - rich architecture, personal service, arts & culture, traditional values
and most of all, a sense of place.

Okeechobee Main Street, Inc. is a 501(C) 3 not for profit organization.
Click here to view determination letter
 
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In 2005 Okeechobee Main Street decided to take a
 important step of developing more programs and
activities to enhance the Arts and Culture of Okeechobee.
The Okeechobee Main Street Arts and Culture committee
was formed and their overall objectives were set up.

In May of 2018, the Board of Okeechobee County
Commissioners, designated Okeechobee Main Street as a
Local Art Agency through a resolution as out-lined
by the State of Florida statutes 265.32.

Click here for more information.

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As a Main Street America™ Accredited program,
Okeechobee Main Street is a recognized leading program
among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods
and communities who share both a commitment to creating
high-quality places and to building stronger communities
through preservation-based economic development.
 
All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of
National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined
by the National Main Street Center.
 
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What is Florida Main Street?

 

The Florida Main Street Program has helped revitalize the downtown are as of many Florida towns.

It is a technical assistance program administered by the Bureau of
Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources and  Florida Department of State.

As shopping malls and other big box retailers moved out to the suburbs, many  Florida downtown neighborhoods languished and then collapsed. In the 1980s, the Main Street Program was develope by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

What We Do

In the past, the word ìdowntownî brought to mind an image of a bustling center of commerce and activity. Too often today, the images are of vacant, deteriorating buildings. Now communities have discovered that with the help from Florida Main Street, Downtown can thrive again.

Why Main Street Matters?

Builds a positive image for the community

Creates job opportunities
Saves tax dollars
Preserves the communityís historic resources
Helps to control sprawl

Florida Main Street is incremental. Using the Main Street Four Point Approach, community leaders work together to bring about many small but positive improvements downtown. Together, these improvements revitalize the downtown.

 

Organization. Working with public and private sector community leaders to develop consensus and coordinate resources to revitalize downtown.

Promotion. Creating and marketing a positive image of downtown through special events, retail sales, effective advertising, and public relations.

Design Encouraging quality building rehabilitation, sign-age, public improvements, and window displays to improve the appearance of downtown.

Economic Vitality. Improving the economic base of downtown by strengthening existing businesses, recruiting new businesses, and filling second floor vacancies.

 

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Non-Profit Business of the Year 2015-2016

Non-Profit Business of the Year 2015-2016 Award
Accepting Award for Non-Profit Business of the Year 2015-2016